Section: Research

William McIlvane, Ph.D.

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Psychiatry

Other Affiliation(s):
   Clinical and Population Health Research
   Program in Neuroscience
   Shriver Center

Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities

Dr. McIlvane directs an interdisciplinary program of research that addresses a variety of scientific problems that are relevant to understanding and/or ameliorating mental retardation and developmental disabilities. One focus of the program is an attempt to further understanding of why many individuals with intellectual disabilities show atypically slow, inflexible learning. A long-term goal is to determine the degree to which learning deficits may be correctable by improving teaching methodology. Methods developed in that aspect of his research program have been adapted to further understanding of the behavioral and cognitive profiles associated with co-morbid neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism and depression. A second focus of Dr. McIlvane's program is on the analysis of behavioral relations mapping various symbol forms (e.g., words spoken or printed) with corresponding environmental events (e.g., objects, pictures). One goal of this program is to develop methods for encouraging rapid symbol mapping in individuals who do not ordinarily show it. Another is to adapt methods of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience to further understanding of neural processes involved in symbolic behavior. To that end, an ongoing program is searching for precursors of symbolic functioning in nonhuman primates and other species; one goal of this aspect of the research is to produce animal models that can be used in studying the neural foundation of symbolic behavior. In addition, Dr. McIlvane's program has a strong research-to-practice emphasis. For example, methods emerging from laboratory research are being used to teach practical skills in special education classrooms in both the United States and in Brasil.

Ongoing Projects

Symbolic Potential in Pre-Symbolic Populations
Behavioral Studies of Mental Retardation and Depression
Process Analysis in Behavioral Allocation and Persistence in Severe Mental Retardation
Typical and Atypical Brain Development: A SEPA Project for Grades 3-6

Office: Shriver
Phone: 781-642-0153
E-mail: William.Mcilvane@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Child Mental Health, Health Disparities, Learning and Memory, Disability, Obesity

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